According to the police report, Ron DeJuliis told police it was a misunderstanding but a court commissioner charged him with a misdemeanor after Brochin’s campaign manager filed a complaint.

“Because this was a misdemeanor, the officer did not effect an arrest. Under Maryland law, an officer must witness a crime in progress in order for an arrest to be made,” said Elise Armacost.

It was the district court commissioner’s decision to charge DeJuliis and two other men with stealing Brochin’s signs.

WJZ asked Brochin what this says about the nature of the campaign.

“The charges is theft so I guess you’re asking what’s the significance of them stealing my campaign? I don’t know. Are there other issues we could be talking about, other things we could be doing?” Brochin said.

WJZ made several attempts to reach the DeJuliis campaign but they have yet to respond to our request for comment.

The Brochin signs were still at the scene when police arrived and were returned to the Brochin campaign.